The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-27
.LEWELLYN PARK SNOBS
AND THE KERMEsS AT ORANGE
OPERA HOUSE.
The Bellies In short Skirts That
Reach TO the Calves lndulg,
In the Ballet.
ESPECIAL ooRnEsrosDEScE OF TIE trrEAL.l

NEW 1Ohh, reDIudIJ ~ ONN
things are constantly being done, &C
cidentally and Oh purpose, in that
small section of New York society
which regards itself as all there
really is OF society; but l do believe
that the diversion of dancing Wash
iDgton's Birthday out and Ash
Wednesday in was absolutely new at
Tuxedo. The holiday was merged
into the holy day with cotillion in
the Casino, out at that intensely
fashionable resort. The orchestra
played Yankee national airs until
five minutes before midnight. Then
those whose feet we're controlled by
religious scruples stopped dancing
and retired from the foor-some Of
them from the building altogether;
but considerable party kept up the
sport, and six giddy girls, just at the
stroke of II O'clock, took the tiny
satin starry flags from their hair and
corsages, substituting small knots OF
black ribbon.
Fashions rules for Lent are curl
ously conflicting and inconsistent.
The belle may not dance, but she
may go into jolly assemblages to play
badminton or any other game; din
parties are forbidden, but theater
parties are not; last years Taboo
becomes this years fad, and no
theologian would escape insanity
were he to try to reason out the
complications of fashionable observ-
ances of the forty days period. 1t is
hardly clear, indeed, that certain
Broadway merchant was iocose in
putting up a placard in his hosiery
department. 1t was attached to a
pile OF the sort of stockings that are
woven thicker at the knee than else
where, in order to withstand extra
wear at those points, and the in
scription said: Examine this line
Of Lenten hosiery"
1t is altogether likely that the
reader has no idea of the amount or
pretentiousness of the wealth within
an area of ten square miles at Orange,
in jersey. Big and beautiful resi-
dences are arog along the roads for
miles and miles. Absence of bust,
ness is a matter OF pride, and one
section-Lewellyn Park, which con-
tains 100 private houses, including
the $500, 900 HON estead that Inventor
Edison recently bought lat sacri-
fee" of $500, 000-is so very exclu-
sive that your carriage is stopped at
every gate by turnkey who inquiries
what dweller you are coming to see.
The population is composed almost
entirely OF New York families, and
OF course their local diversions are
Enthusiastically exquisite. A kir-
mess has just been held in the
Orange Opera House, and about all
the girls of the region went to 1.-THE
prettiest of them as sellers at the
booths. The wind up was ball, in
which the peasant dances OF
the various old world countries
were represented. The dan,
seuses we're maidens of high social
degree, if not in all instances of SUI
perior nimbleness or grace. Such a
show would have shocked New York
for the nearest thing like it here
was that kirmess in which the sons
and daughters of Fifth avenue
danced for exhibition in the Metro.
politan Opera House; but that time
the amateur ballet was on the general
floor level, while at Orange the stage
was used. An expert in professional
ballet dancing was hired to drill the
rare danseuses. and one of the pupils
Miss Stella Van der Kieft-devel
oped sufficient skill and pluck to un.
dertake solo. She did not wear short
gauze, however, but was skirted tC
the calves IN a gypsy costume. Be-
ing both rich and pretty, she was
forgiven the indiscretion; and it was
for charity, anyhow.
trust that | may not be accused
of draw ing o color line if | write
that the most entertaining costume
gathering lately was given by Hamil'
ton Coterie, which is composed Of
negroes. Many of the members are
servants in swell families, and so the
tip was gained for a party of white
spectators. They perhaps saw les
grotesquery than they expected, foI
negroes are proverbially initiative
A good proportion Of the masquera
ders had seen enough of good man
ners to copy them we'll, and not &
few of the yellow bellies were posi-
tive beauties in face and figure. But
comparative fun for the exploit o.
attendance was provided by a jet
black girl, who scorned to hide BIZ
of her ebon face behind mask, anC
whose tights-revealed by rudimen'
tary draperies-were of Caucasian
flesh color.
The conversation in a luncheon
party turned on the sale of JOCKEY
Fred Archer's effects, and after dis
cussing the ridiculous prices which
his whips and cheap chromoi
brought, we began talking about tn,
worship of relics in general. On,
told OF an actor who religiously keep
in scented box a garter that one,
belonged to Laura Keene, and a jour
nalist followed with the story of ,
cranky friend who bribed a hote
waiter to get him a spoon with which
Ellen Terry had drank her tea
THAT man." he went on, has tn,
most absurd collection of stuff you
ever saw. But he prizes every arti
ole as if it we're worth its weight il
gold, and for him each does have
wonderful value, because it once be
longed to somebody of fame. H,
has a button from one of Patti
dresses and one off Gen. jackson
pantaloons. In his collection Their,
is the original manuscript of one o.
Ella Wheeler's poems, piece o
cake left unfinished on a hote
plate by Count de Lesseps, 1
lock of Dan Lannon'S hair from
barber, . piece of a coffee cul
broken by Oscar Wilde, Leaf of iv!
from Gads Hill, bunch of grass
from the yard Of Longfellow's home
an old hat that once belonged Il
Whittier, and flowers from the graveI
of almost everybody who was evel
heard of ten miles from home"